[Photo News] As groom, Lee says beginning second chapter of his life

South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun tied the knot with actress Lee Min-jung on Saturday after seven years of dating.

About 900 guests, mostly close friends and film industry figures, were in attendance including actor Jang Dong-gun and director Kim Ji-woon. Hundreds of fans from Japan and other countries also gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars at the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, where the ceremony took place.

Ahead of the private wedding ceremony, the high-profile couple gave their thoughts at a press conference for some 100 local and foreign reporters.

“I will live a full life every day and set happiness as the ultimate goal,” the 43-year-old groom said while holding the bride’s hand. “This is the beginning of the second chapter of my life. I can’t predict any upcoming events but I will appreciate life’s small joys.”

Hollywood celebrities such as Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones who worked with the groom in blockbuster “Red 2,” which was released in mid-July, sent video messages to celebrate the wedding.

Lee is the first Asian to have his hand- and footprints in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles.  

The 31-year-old actress gained popularity from the drama “Boys Over Flowers” and the film “Wonderful Radio.” She recently acted as a politician in the romantic comedy drama “All About My Romance.”

The newlyweds set off for their honeymoon in the Maldives on Monday and set up home in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)